Jeffrey D. "Jeff" Watters

Keith Short is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Keith, who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Keith is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Michael Childs is a graduate of Texas A&M University, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Journalism. He received his Juris Doctorate from South Texas College of Law, with a focus on civil litigation. Mr. Childs first came to the firm in 1996 as a law clerk and became an associate in November 1996. He has over fourteen years of extensive experience with complex family matters. As a litigator, his representation has included divorce, disputed property valuations and divisions of pro...

Nicole DeBorde Hochglaube is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Nicole DeBorde, who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2015. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Nicole DeBorde is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kenton Andrews’ practice focuses on dispute resolution, contract negotiation, and litigation of construction and contract related disputes. He has significant experience representing clients’ interests dealing with commercial, civil, industrial and government projects – including procurement issues, bid protests, and administrative appeals in the public sector. Kenton has worked with many general contractor clients to help protect their contractual rights and interests durin...

Robert G. Smith, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Robert G., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Robert G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Tom Ajamie is the founder of Ajamie LLP. He represents clients in complex commercial litigation and arbitration. His work includes groundbreaking securities and financial cases, cross-border litigation, business contract disputes and employment issues. His cases have been featured in publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and The American Lawyer. He established The Ajamie Foundation, which provides scholarships to university students. He is co-author of the book Fina...

Victor Cardenas is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Environmental and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Victor, who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Victor is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Robert J. Carty, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Robert J., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Robert J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Dwana Waltman joined The Lanier Law Firm in February of 2009 as an intake attorney for the toxic tort division. Mrs. Waltman was born in Lufkin, Texas. She graduated from Baylor University, magna cum laude, in 1993 with a degree in Sociology and attended law school at Texas Tech University. Mrs. Waltman was in private practice in Lubbock before taking a position as an Executive Director of a non-profit legal organization. Under her direction, the agency tripled in size and vastly expanded ser...

Mark Lanier is consistently recognized as one of the top civil trial lawyers in America. Best known as a zealous advocate for individuals in personal injury and product liability claims against major corporations, Mark brings passion, creativity and an unparalleled ability to connect with juries in courtrooms across the nation. During the past 30 years, Mark has taken on some of the biggest challenges in the legal field. In doing so, he has achieved some of the largest verdicts in history, ac...